Acupuncture for PMOS (formerly PCOS)

Supporting women living with PMOS

PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, formerly known as PCOS – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age.

The recent change in terminology reflects an important development in medical research. For many years, the name Polycystic Ovary Syndrome suggested that the ovaries were at the centre of the condition. We now know that this is only part of the picture.

PMOS is now recognised as a complex hormonal and metabolic condition involving several interconnected systems, including reproductive hormones, insulin regulation, metabolism and ovulation. The ovaries are only one part of that system. Rather than being the cause of the condition, they are responding to the hormonal and metabolic environment created by the rest of the body.

This broader understanding also helps explain why PMOS can look so different from one woman to another.

Some women rarely ovulate and have irregular or absent periods. Others have regular cycles but struggle with acne, unwanted hair growth or weight changes. Some are diagnosed when trying to conceive, while others spend years wondering why they never quite feel "right". Fatigue, poor sleep, mood changes and digestive symptoms are also common.

Living with PMOS can be frustrating. You may have been prescribed the contraceptive pill, advised to lose weight, started on Metformin, or simply told to come back when you're ready to have children. While these treatments can play an important role, many women continue to experience symptoms that affect their confidence, wellbeing and quality of life.

Acupuncture offers personalised support alongside conventional medical care. Rather than focusing solely on the diagnosis, treatment is tailored to your individual symptoms, your health and your goals. Whether you're hoping to regulate your menstrual cycle, support your fertility or simply better understand your body, treatment is always adapted to you.

How acupuncture can help?

Supporting communication between the brain and the ovaries

The menstrual cycle relies on continuous communication between the brain and the ovaries through what is known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. This finely tuned system regulates ovulation and the production of reproductive hormones. Research suggests acupuncture can help support this communication, potentially encouraging more regular ovulation in some women.

Helping regulate the nervous system

Living with PMOS can be stressful. Whether you're coping with unpredictable cycles, struggling with fertility or navigating symptoms that affect your confidence, stress itself can influence hormonal regulation.

Research shows acupuncture can help regulate the autonomic nervous system, encouraging the body to shift from a "fight or flight" state towards a more restorative "rest and digest" state. Many women also notice improvements in their sleep, stress levels and overall sense of wellbeing during treatment.

Supporting blood flow

Studies suggest acupuncture can improve blood flow to the ovaries and uterus by reducing excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Healthy blood flow plays an important role in normal ovarian function and is one of the proposed mechanisms by which acupuncture may support ovulation.

Supporting metabolic health

Insulin resistance is one of the key drivers of PMOS for many women. Emerging research suggests acupuncture, particularly when combined with dietary and lifestyle changes, may help improve insulin sensitivity in some individuals. This may, in turn, support hormonal balance and ovulation.

Depending on your individual symptoms and priorities, acupuncture can support:

Menstrual health

  • Irregular menstrual cycles

  • Infrequent or absent periods

  • Heavy or prolonged periods

  • Painful periods

  • Premenstrual symptoms (PMS)

  • Supporting regular ovulation

Fertility

  • Preparing for pregnancy

  • Trying to conceive naturally

  • Supporting fertility treatment, including IVF

  • Emotional wellbeing throughout the fertility journey

Skin

  • Hormonal acne

Energy and emotional wellbeing

  • Fatigue and low energy

  • Poor sleep

  • Brain fog

  • Stress and anxiety

  • Low mood

  • Feeling overwhelmed

Metabolic health and weight management

Many women describe weight changes as one of the most frustrating aspects of PMOS. Acupuncture is not a weight-loss treatment, nor is it a substitute for good nutrition or regular movement. However, by supporting factors such as sleep, stress, fatigue and overall wellbeing, it may help create the conditions that make healthy lifestyle changes easier to sustain. For many women, it becomes one part of a broader, long-term approach alongside nutrition, movement and medical care where appropriate.

My approach

Women's health is one of the areas where I believe acupuncture can make a particularly valuable contribution. Alongside my acupuncture degree, I have completed extensive postgraduate training in women's health, fertility, IVF, pregnancy and hormonal health. I continue to deepen my knowledge through specialist courses, clinical reading and regular review of the latest research.

During your first appointment, we'll explore your symptoms, your menstrual cycle, your medical history, any investigations you've had and your goals for treatment. Together, we'll develop a treatment plan that's tailored to you and can evolve as your symptoms and priorities change.

Alongside acupuncture, I may also discuss dietary and lifestyle recommendations where appropriate, always tailored to your individual circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

  • Irregular or absent periods are one of the most common reasons women with PMOS seek acupuncture. Many women notice gradual improvements in the regularity of their cycles over time, particularly when treatment is received consistently over several months. As always, every woman responds differently, and treatment is tailored to your individual presentation.

  • Yes. Acupuncture is commonly used by women with PMOS who are trying to conceive, either naturally or alongside fertility treatment such as IVF. Current research suggests it may support ovulation in some women, while many patients also value the opportunity to support their wellbeing during what can be an emotionally demanding journey. Acupuncture is always intended to work alongside the care provided by your fertility specialist.

  • Hormonal acne is often one of the symptoms women find most distressing. By aiming to support the underlying hormonal and physiological patterns contributing to your symptoms, acupuncture may help improve acne for some women. Treatment is always tailored to the individual, and changes tend to occur gradually rather than overnight.

  • Yes. Acupuncture can generally be used safely alongside prescribed medication. Many women choose to combine both approaches, either because they're continuing to experience PMOS symptoms or because they're finding the medication itself difficult to tolerate. Depending on the individual, acupuncture may help support symptoms such as nausea, digestive discomfort, fatigue, poor sleep or mood changes while you continue your prescribed treatment. We'll always discuss your medication and overall treatment plan during your appointment.

  • This depends on your symptoms, your priorities and your goals. If you've been living with PMOS for some time, a short course of regular treatments is often the best place to start. We'll review your progress together and adapt your treatment plan as your symptoms evolve, gradually spacing appointments further apart where appropriate.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with PMOS or have been living with it for many years, I'd be happy to discuss how acupuncture may support your health and wellbeing alongside your existing care.

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Selected references

  • International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) (formerly PCOS). Monash University, ASRM, ESHRE and international partners, 2026.

  • Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JSE, et al. International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. 2023 (previous international guideline; superseded by the 2026 PMOS guideline but still widely cited).

  • Lim CED, Ng RWC, Xu K, et al. Acupuncture for polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019.

  • Frontiers in Endocrinology. Acupuncture for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: mechanisms and clinical evidence. 2026.

  • Johansson J, Redman L, et al. Acupuncture for ovulation dysfunction in women with PCOS/PMOS: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2024.

  • Zhao H, et al. Effects of acupuncture on insulin resistance and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS: systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023.

  • World Health Organization. Infertility. Updated 2023.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (CG156). Updated guidance.